Roof Vent and Solar Water Heater

ABSTRACT

A heat exchange device including a flexible hinge, a solar collector, a tank containing serpentine or coiled tubes which contain municipal water, wherein the tank contains thermal transmission vents designed for outflow of hot gasses from an attic, an insect screen, a precipitation drain and an attachment area is hereby disclosed.

The field of invention relates generally to roof systems andparticularly to sloped roofs, which can incorporate a vent to exhausthot attic gases. More particularly, the invention serves not only as animproved roof venting system but also acts as a solar water heater. Theinvention uses a method of utilizing escaping gases from the attic spaceto heat water from below in its tank, wherein the tank contains tubingcontaining water, as well as utilizing a system of baffles to excludeprecipitation while also incorporating a clear panel as a top for thetank so that the sun can directly heat the water in the tank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A heat exchanger device installed as part of a roof system is herebydisclosed, wherein the device uses the hot gases escaping from the spacebelow. The water in the tubing contained within the tank is also exposedto the heating effects of the sun from above. When installed the heatexchange device becomes an integral part of a roof system and can bepainted to match the roof system so as to achieve a more aestheticallypleasing effect. The tank containing the water in the tubing is coveredwith clear panels which allow sunlight to directly come in contact withthe tubing. The heat exchange device includes a venting system which iscomprised of a system of baffles which block driven rain andprecipitation as well as transmitting heat from hot gases escaping fromthe attic space below, and acts as an insect and rodent shield. The heatexchange device disclosed herein can both heat water and lower atticspace ambient air temperature while also acting as a solar collector.Additionally, there is a plurality of holes in an attachment section ofthe heat exchange device to allow the device to be affixed to virtuallyany structure. Additionally, the heat exchange device includes a solarheater for water. The water is stored or circulated in the tubing togain heat from gases escaping from the attic as well as allowing thewater stored in its tubing to absorb heat from radiant solar energy fromabove. The effect is to raise the ambient temperature of the waterstored in its tubing to reach a temperature closer to “usable” hot waterand more efficiently lower the ambient temperature of the attic spacebelow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 relates to an embodiment of the present invention wherein a heatexchange device is a one-piece device with a flexible centralized hinge.The heat exchange device includes a crossover pipe to allow water toflow from a first side of the device in one direction to a second sideof the device in a reverse direction.

FIG. 2 relates to an embodiment of the present invention wherein theheat exchange device is a two-piece device employing a mounting flangeon each piece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The heat exchange device can be placed over a roof ridge vent The heatexchange device includes a tank, wherein the tank contains a piping ortubing. The heat exchange device is installed on a sloped roof havingtypical construction and utilizing a ridge vent. A roof deck is securedto a plurality of trusses to form a pitched roof assembly. A roofcovering, usually shingles or metal, is installed to preventprecipitation from entering the structure below. The angle of thetrusses (slope) creates a triangular void below (attic space). An openslot is provided to allow hot gases to escape. The heat exchange deviceutilizes these gasses to heat water stored in the tank. The tubing isfashioned in such a way as to form a serpentine pattern so as to slowthe flow of water and expand the fluid cross-section thus maximizing thefluid's exposure to the sun's rays and contact with hot gases escapingfrom the attic space. Potable water from a municipal facility enters thetubing through the water inlet and circulates through the tubing whereit picks up heat, crosses over through the fluid crossover pipe, to thetubing on the other side of the heat exchange device and travels in theopposite direction where it is discharged through the water outlet backinto the attic space and into the primary water heating system.

Two or more heat exchange devices can be connected in series byconnecting the water inlets and outlets one to another, by the use of aquick connect “push-on” connector such as a “shark bite”, polysulfoneconnector or high temperature and pressure hose such as an automotiveradiator hose and clamps, such as worm gear clamps. PEX tubing withcrimp-on clamps may also be used. The water enters the water inlet andtravels in one direction, i.e. east to west, through the series of heatexchange devices, crosses through a fluid crossover pipe and travels inthe opposite direction, i.e. west to east, to a roof opening where itenters the series of heat exchange devices.

Further, the heat exchange device includes a series of thermaltransmission vents which transmit gases from the attic space to thewater in the tubing and then the gases are exhausted through an insectscreen. The location of the insect screen as it relates to the thermaltransmission vents allows hot gases to escape but precludes wind drivenprecipitation from entering the thermal gas transmission vents.Precipitation entering the insect screen leaves the heat exchange devicethrough a drain area.

In an embodiment, the heat exchange device is positioned in an areawhich allows water in the device to be heated by hot gases escaping fromthe attic space. A transparent cover positioned over the tank containingtubing filled with water allows sunlight to heat the water stored in thetubing. An area in the tank below the tubing has a reflective coating toadditionally enhance the effects of the sun's rays.

The heat exchange device includes a bendable, flexible area which allowsthe device to be positioned on sloped roofs with different pitches.Further, the heat exchange device includes an attachment area with aplurality of holes positioned directly above and in contact with theroof covering allowing the heat exchange device to be easily installed,repaired or removed and replaced in the event of the installation of anew roof membrane. The heat exchange device can be recycled and eitherreinstalled or relocated, removed for repairs or easily modified tofacilitate different applications, renovations or differentconfigurations. The exposed attachments (nails) and the ability of the“push-on” connectors to be removed, makes the heat exchange deviceeasily and effortlessly reusable.

In an embodiment, the heat exchange device includes thermal transmissionvents positioned below the clear panel. The clear panel, which can be anumber of materials such as lightweight UV stabilized polycarbonate ortempered glass, allows sunlight to directly heat the water stored in thetubing contained within the tank.

In an embodiment, the heat exchange device includes a tank having awater inlet and a water outlet, wherein the water inlet and water outletare operatively connected by a tubing. Further the tank includes atransparent cover at its top and a reflective surface at its bottom. Thetank is operatively connected to a solar collector on one side and aprecipitation baffle on the other side. Thermal transmission vents arelocated on both sides of the tank. The precipitation baffle isoperatively connected to an insect screen. The insect screen isoperatively connected to an attachment area. The attachment areaincludes a plurality of holes. The insect screen also serves as a ventfor hot gas escaping from ridge roof vents above the attic. A flexiblehinge connects one solar collector to an identical solar collector sothat the heat exchange device can be placed over a roof ridge vent.

An end closure cover is installed at each end of the heat exchangedevice or series of heat exchange devices to cover and waterproof theopen ends of the device. The end closure cover prevents vermin andinsects from entering the device.

In an embodiment, the heat exchange device is a two-piece deviceemploying a connecting means. The connecting means is operativelyconnected to the top of the solar collector, and includes a plurality ofholes through which a nut and bolt or other means of attachment, canjoin two identical pieces together to form the completed heat exchangedevice. Each identical piece includes a connecting means operativelyconnected to a solar collector. Each solar collector is operativelyattached to a tank having a water inlet and a water outlet, wherein thewater inlet and water outlet are operatively connected by a tubing.Further the tank includes a transparent cover at its, top and areflective surface at its bottom. The tank is operatively connected aprecipitation baffle on the other side. Thermal transmission vents arelocated on both sides of the tank. The precipitation baffle isoperatively connected to an insect screen. The insect screen isoperatively connected to an attachment area. The attachment areaincludes a plurality of holes. The two-piece device is joined togetherover a roof ridge vent.

The heat exchange device herein disclosed allows water from themunicipal system to be raised to a higher temperature before enteringthe primary water heating system. The primary water heating system canbe a gas water heater, an electric water heater, or the like. The devicehas a simplicity of design, no moving parts, an ease of fabrication andinstallation. The ridge roof vents can be of enhanced size to increasethe thermal venting up to a range of about 200% to about 300%.

The heat exchange device can be fabricated from materials such asaluminum, copper, stainless steel, and galvanized sheet metal. In analternative embodiment, the heat exchange device can be fabricated fromplastics and resins. The heat exchange material is durable andlightweight, and can be readily transported and installed without theuse of heavy equipment. The heat exchange device can be recycled andused with a second or even third roof system.

Heat exchange devices can be joined together in series in an unlimitednumber. They can be connected with available push-on connectors or glue.The unique venting system provided by the heat exchangers allows hotgasses to escape while prohibiting entrance of wind driven precipitationand insects.

The heat exchange device has an extremely low cross section andtherefore can withstand hurricane force winds.

The heat exchange device herein disclosed can be employed to heat pools,spas or other bodies of water.

Referring to FIG. 1, a heat exchange device (1) is represented. The heatexchange device (1) includes a first solar collector (15) connected to asecond solar collector (16) by a flexible hinge (31). The first solarcollector (15) and the second solar collector are both extended to forma first tank (17) and a second tank (18) on each side of the flexiblehinge. The first tank (17) includes a first water inlet (2) at one endand a first water outlet (3) at the other end. The second tank (18)includes a second water inlet (4) at one end and a second water outlet(5) at the other end. First water inlet (2) is operatively connected tofirst water outlet (3) by a first tubing (6), which tubing (6) can havea coiled shape or a serpentine shape. Second water inlet (4) isoperatively connected to second water outlet (5) by a second tubing (7),which tubing (7) can have a coiled shape or a serpentine shape. Firsttank (17) has a bottom covered with a reflective surface (50). Secondtank (18) has a bottom covered with a reflective surface (51). Firsttank (17) has a top which is a transparent cover (33). Second tank (18)has a top which is a transparent cover (34).

The first tank (17) includes a first thermal transmission vent (8) onone side and a second thermal transmission vent (9) on the other side.The second tank (18) includes a third thermal transmission vent (10) onone side and a fourth thermal transmission vent (11) on the other side.The thermal transmission vents (8), (9), (10) and (11) serve to allowhot gasses entrapped in the attic of the house structure to escape fromthe structure through the roof ridge vents and then through the heatexchange device (1).

First tank (17) is operatively attached to first insect screen (20).Second tank (18) is operatively attached to second insect screen (21).Insect screens prevent insects and vermin from entering the heatexchange device (1). Insect screens also allow hot gasses to escape fromthe attic through the heat exchange device (1). The first insect screen(20) is operatively attached to a first precipitation drain (22); andthe second insect screen (21) is operatively attached to a secondprecipitation drain (23). The precipitation drains (22) and (23) allowfor rain water, condensation and the like to be released from the heatexchange device (1).

The first precipitation drain (22) is operatively connected to a firstattachment area (24). The second precipitation drain (23) is operativelyconnected to a second attachment area (25). The first attachment area(24) includes a first set of holes (26). The second attachment areaincludes a second set of holes (27). The sets of holes (26) and (27)included in the attachment areas can receive nails or the like forattachment of the heat exchange device (1) to the roof of the housestructure.

A crossover pipe (30) is connected at one end to the first water outlet(3) and at the other end to the second water inlet (4).

Referring to FIG. 2, a two-piece device is represented, wherein thetwo-piece device employs mounting flanges (31) and (32) operativelyconnected to each of the pieces (40) and (41). The mounting flanges (31)and (32) serve as areas to join together piece (41) and piece (42). Thisallows installation on more obtuse roof slopes or more acute roofslopes. A first piece (40) includes a first mounting flange (31)operatively connected to a first solar collector (15). The firstmounting flange includes a third set of holes (60), wherein the set ofholes (60) can receive bolts (not shown) for attachment of the twopieces (41) and (42). The first solar collector (15) is extended to forma first tank (17), thus operatively connecting first solar collector(15) to first tank (17). The first tank (17) includes a first waterinlet (2) at one end and a first water outlet (3) at the other end.First water inlet (2) is operatively connected to first water outlet (3)by a first tubing (6), which tubing (6) can have a coiled shape or aserpentine shape.

The first tank (17) includes a first thermal transmission vent (8) onone side and a second thermal transmission vent (9) on the other side.The thermal transmission vents (8) and (9) allow hot gasses entrapped inthe attic of the house structure to escape from the structure throughthe roof ridge vents (not shown).

First tank (17) is operatively attached to first insect screen (20). Theinsect screen (20) prevents insects and vermin from entering. The insectscreen (20) also allows hot gasses to escape from the attic. The firstinsect screen (20) is operatively attached to a first precipitationdrain (22). The precipitation drain (22) allows for rain water,condensation and the like to be released.

The first precipitation drain (22) is operatively connected to a firstattachment area (24). The first attachment area (24) includes a firstset of holes (26). The set of holes (26) included in the attachmentareas can receive nails or the like for attachment to the roof of thehouse structure.

A crossover pipe (30) is connected at one end to the first water outlet(3) and at the other end to a second water inlet (4) found in secondpiece (41).

A second piece (41) includes a second mounting flange (32) operativelyconnected to a second solar collector (16). The second mounting flange(32) includes a fourth set of holes (61), wherein the set of holes (61)can receive bolts (not shown) for attachment of the two pieces (41) and(42). The second solar collector (16) is extended to form a second tank(18), thus operatively connecting second solar collector (13) to secondtank (18). The second tank (18) includes a second water inlet (4) at oneend and a second water outlet (5) at the other end. Second water inlet(4) is operatively connected to second water outlet (5) by a secondtubing (7), which tubing (7) can have a coiled shape or a serpentineshape.

The second tank (18) includes a second thermal transmission vent (10) onone side and a second thermal transmission vent (11) on the other side.The thermal transmission vents (10) and (11 allow hot gasses entrappedin the attic of the house structure to escape from the structure throughthe roof ridge vents (not shown).

Second tank (18) is operatively attached to second insect screen (21).The insect screen (21) prevents insects and vermin from entering. Theinsect screen (21) also allows hot gasses to escape from the attic. Thesecond insect screen (21) is operatively attached to a secondprecipitation drain (23). The precipitation drain (23) allows for rainwater, condensation and the like to be released.

The second precipitation drain (25) is operatively connected to a secondattachment area (25). The second attachment area (25) includes a secondset of holes (27). The set of holes (27) included in the attachmentareas can receive nails or the like for attachment to the roof of thehouse structure.

While the invention has been described by the various embodiments anddescriptions, there is no intent to limit the inventive concept exceptwithin the metes and bounds of the following claims.

1. An apparatus comprising: a tank, wherein the tank has a top and abottom, a first end and a second end, and two sides; a water inletlocated at the first end of the tank; a water outlet located at thesecond end of the tank; a tubing contained within the tank, wherein thetubing operatively connects the water inlet and water outlet; atransparent cover located at the top of the tank; a reflective surfacelocated at the bottom of the tank; a solar collector operativelyconnected to a first side of the tank; a precipitation baffleoperatively connected to a second side of the tank; a first thermaltransmission vent located on the first side of the tank; a secondthermal transmission vent located on the second side of the tank; aninsect screen operatively connected to the precipitation baffle; and anattachment area operatively connected to the insect screen, wherein theattachment area comprises a plurality of holes.
 2. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the tubing has a shape which is a memberselected from the group consisting of a serpentine shape and a coiledshape.
 3. A heat exchange device comprising two apparati operativelyconnected by a flexible hinge, wherein each apparatus comprises: a tank,wherein the tank has a top and a bottom, a first end and a second end,and two sides; a water inlet located at the first end of the tank; awater outlet located at the second end of the tank; a tubing containedwithin the tank, wherein the tubing operatively connects the water inletand water outlet; a transparent cover located at the top of the tank; areflective surface located at the bottom of the tank; a solar collectoroperatively connected to a first side of the tank; a precipitationbaffle operatively connected to a second side of the tank; a firstthermal transmission vent located on the first side of the tank; asecond thermal transmission vent located on the second side of the tank;an insect screen operatively connected to the precipitation baffle; andan attachment area operatively connected to the insect screen, whereinthe attachment area comprises a plurality of holes, and wherein theflexible hinge is operatively connected to the solar collector of eachapparatus.
 4. The heat exchange device according to claim 3 wherein thetubing has a shape which is a member selected from the group consistingof a serpentine shape and a coiled shape.
 5. A heat exchange devicecomprising two apparati operatively connected by a mounting flange,wherein each apparatus comprises: a tank, wherein the tank has a top anda bottom, a first end and a second end, and two sides; a water inletlocated at the first end of the tank; a water outlet located at thesecond end of the tank; a tubing contained within the tank, wherein thetubing operatively connects the water inlet and water outlet; atransparent cover located at the top of the tank; a reflective surfacelocated at the bottom of the tank; a solar collector operativelyconnected to a first side of the tank; a precipitation baffleoperatively connected to a second side of the tank; a first thermaltransmission vent located on the first side of the tank; a secondthermal transmission vent located on the second side of the tank; aninsect screen operatively connected to the precipitation baffle; and anattachment area operatively connected to the insect screen, wherein theattachment area comprises a plurality of holes, and wherein the mountingflange is operatively connected to the solar collector of eachapparatus.
 6. The heat exchange device according to claim 5 wherein thetubing has a shape which is a member selected from the group consistingof a serpentine shape and a coiled shape.